EliteXCs Paul Daley announces MMA retirement

Just one month after knocking out Sam Morgan in highlight reel fashion at ShoXC in Atlantic City, Paul "Semtex" Daley stunned the MMA world by recently announcing his future retirement.

Daley left this statement on a message board (via MMAWeekly.com):

"This is for the fighters, fans, promoters and trolls alike. As of now I will be stepping down as Cage Rage Champion (British and world), FX-3 Champion and KOTR champion. I vacate all these titles. Further more I consider my self retired (from all MMA/Thai boxing) as of March 29th. March 29th I will fulfill my contracted commitment for Pro Elite, against a yet unnamed opponent. No speculation, No further announcements, once I've found the path I originally set out on in the Martial Arts, I may return to this SPORT, maybe 6 months - maybe 6 years, who knows. Who will be the next welterweight CRC champ? FX-3 champ?...

Thanks

Paul Daley"

At 24 years old, Daley was one of EliteXC's youngest and brightest stars. Just one month ago he was proclaiming his desire to be the best welterweight fighter in the world and now he's putting the breaks on a promising young career in the sport.

EliteXC's welterweight division sure takes a huge hit with this announcement. For a division set to crown its first-ever division champion on March 29 in a match between Jake Shields and Drew Fickett, EliteXC obviously can't afford to be losing top contenders like Daley.

Daley says he'll fulfill his contract and fight on March 29 -- he doesn't have an opponent named at this time. Regardless, it's going to be interesting to see what kind of Paul Daley shows up that night.

Is he gonna be fighting without his heart in it or is he gonna be fighting to make a statement in his last fight? Either way it'll be worth it too see. We'll let you know as soon as his opponents announced.

It's weird that he's announced his sudden retirement when he's on the cusp of breaking out. It almost doesn't seem real. I can't imagine after March 29 we won't ever see him fight again.

He's got too much talent.